Biographies of prominent and influential people of Samoan heritage

Joe Galuvao

Personal Life:

Joseph Frederick Galuvao (born July 8th, 1978 in Auckland, New Zealand) is a professional Rugby League player for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. His former clubs include the Auckland Warriors, Penrith Panthers, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Parramatta Eels. He has also represented both New Zealand Kiwi’s and Rugby League Samoa.

Galuvao is married to Maybelle, known from the 90’s R&B/Soul group Ma-v-elle, formed in South Auckland, New Zealand. They have two children together.

Professional Career:

Galuvao made his first grade Rugby League debut in 1998 with the Auckland Warriors against the Sydney Roosters, and remained with the Warriors from 1998-2000. He then signed with the Penrith Panthers from 2001-2005, collecting a career high of 60 points at the time. It was with the Panthers that Galuvao won his first premiership at the 2003 NRL Grand Final against the Sydney Roosters. That same year, he was rated one of the best second-rowers in the world.

In 2006, he joined the South Sydney Rabbitohs on a three year contract, however due to some cap issues and direction of the club, he and other members were released in 2007. Then in 2008, he signed a two year contract with the Parramatta Eels which took him right through to the end of the 2009 season.

During his time with the Eels, Galuvao helped carry the team to the 2009 NRL Grand Finals but the Eels lost to the Melbourne Storm 23-16 final score (since 2010, the Storm have been stripped of their premiership won against the Eels due to salary cap breaches). In August that year, Galuvao took his veteran experience to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles by signing a three year contract with them.

Galuvao made his debut for Manly against his old club, Parramatta Eels, in round 2 of the 2010 season. It wasn’t until the following year in 2011 that the Manly club would become victorious in winning another NRL Grand Final since 2008. They beat the New Zealand Vodafone Wariors in the 2011 NRL Grand Final, which made it Galuvao’s second premiership win, and third appearance at a NRL Grand Final for three different clubs.

In his NRL career which spans over a decade, Galuvao joins a select group of players who have appeared in grand finals for three different clubs (the only others to be in that group are Anthony Mundine, Glenn Lazarus, Kevin Campion and Phil Sigsworth – who all come from Australia). He is one of the greatest veterans to come out of New Zealand to be a part of a truly unique achievement.

Highlights and Awards:

Made his first grade debut with the Auckland Warriors in 1998

Represented Samoa at the Rugby League World Cup in 2000

Represented New Zealand in 4 tests from 2003-2004, including Tri-Nations tournament in 2004

Won NRL Grand Final premiership in 2003 with Penrith Panthers

Won NRL Grand Final premiership in 2011 with Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

Legacy :

The only Samoan and New Zealand NRL player to be part of a unique group of players to appear in 3 NRL Grand Finals for 3 different Franchise NRL clubs